How to Erase a Rainbow

Allow a moment but not a moment longer
to savor the palm so piquant
and arched with bowed life

Pluck at the blue that bruised its beat
and gently buff and preen it
with tacky love

Untwine the green,
striping the stem - strand by strand
loves me/loves me not

Cut the roots,
dead the head that threatens
to shine

Salt the yellow, prevent the slip to gold
douse ombre rays - sickly sour
and then,

Those last indigo lights
dancing amber to red
problematic fire-flies, winged with escape

Pinion them flightless
palliating to white
erasing the rainbow.